Monday, December 31, 2012

Book Review - A Place Called Armageddon - C.C. Humphreys

Review: I do not often read historical
fiction, typically opting for narrative nonfiction (think Erik Larson), but
since I had actually lived in the country this book was discussing I decided to
make an exception. This book focuses on
the siege of Constantinople, a Greek city, by the Turks. It is told through the eyes of several
characters on each side of the battle.

The history
was very good, and it became abundantly clear that a lot of research went into
getting the basic facts of the battle correct.
From the treatment of the citizenry, the methods of long term sieges,
the nature of battles, and the overall climate of the city. As a history guy, I felt I got a good macro
perspective of the battle that was both interesting and accurate. For me, a good measure of historical fiction
is whether you come away from the story wanting to know more of the
details. Humphries does an excellent job
of just giving you enough information to keep you interested, and at the same
time stoke a fire of curiosity that makes you hit the internet to learn even
more.

Along with
the history several plot lines involving a large cast of characters is
presented. For the most part they were
entertaining, but the sheer volume of characters detracted from getting to know
any one of them to well. It is why a
good mystery has the investigating officer only looking into one crime,
otherwise it gets confusing, and you never really get into the case(s). So while Humphries is a fine writer, it is
tremendously difficult to present a cohesive story on this scale. I enjoyed the book but wanted a little more
balance on character development.

Overall this
was an excellent book and a extremely interesting topic. If you are fan of the genre you will not be
disappointed, and if like me you are new to it, you couldn't ask for a better introduction;
especially with such a great writer like Humphries.

Why I Read It: I enjoy history (typically
non-fiction) and this fictionalized account of the siege of Constantinople
(Istanbul) appealed to me since I spent four years in Turkey as a kid.

Where I Obtained the Book: Sent to me by the publisher for
review.

Synopsis: To the Greeks who love it, it is
Constantinople. To the Turks who covet it, the Red Apple. Safe behind its
magnificent walls, the city was once the heart of the vast Byzantine empire.

1453. The
empire has shrunk to what lies within those now-crumbling walls. A relic. Yet
for one man, Constantinople is the stepping stone to destiny. Mehmet is twenty
when he is annointed Sultan. Now, seeking Allah’s will and Man’s glory, he
brings an army of one hundred thousand, outnumbering the defenders ten to one.
He has also brings something new – the most frightening weapon the world has
ever seen...

But a city
is more than stone, its fate inseparable from that of its people. Men like
Gregoras, a mercenary and exile, returning to the hated place he once loved.
Like his twin and betrayer, the subtle diplomat, Theon. Like Sofia, loved by
two brothers but forced to make a desperate choice between them. And Leilah, a
powerful mystic and assassin, seeking her own destiny in the flames.

This is the
tale of one of history’s greatest battles for one of the world’s most
extraordinary places. This is the story of people, from peasant to emperor -
with the city’s fate, and theirs, undecided... until the moment the Red Apple
falls.

Author Biography: C.C. Humphreys was born in Toronto, Canada,
and grew up in Los Angeles and London. A third generation actor and writer on
both sides of his family, he returned to Canada in the nineties and there his
writing career began. He won the inaugural playwriting competition of the New
Play Centre, Vancouver with his first play, 'A Cage Without Bars' which was
produced in Vancouver and London. He was a schoolboy fencing champion, became a
fight choreographer and thus turned his love of swashbuckling towards
historical fiction. He is married and lives in Finchley, North London.

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